6 dead in Henderson, Ky., plastics plant shooting

Jolie Rouge · 06-25-2008, 02:39 PM

6 dead in Henderson, Ky., plastics plant shooting
By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 39 minutes ago

HENDERSON, Ky. - An employee shot and killed a supervisor and four others after an argument at a western Kentucky plastics plant in a rampage that ended in the gunman's suicide, police and a company official said Wednesday.

The shooting happened around midnight at Atlantis Plastics in this Ohio River town of about 28,000 people.

The employee, a press operator, began arguing with a supervisor and was escorted from the building, company CEO Bud Philbrook told The Associated Press.

As the employee was leaving, he took out a gun, shot the supervisor, then charged back into a break room and shot several employees. Then he returned to the floor and shot another employee before killing himself, Philbrook said.

"It's just total shock. It's something you read about in the paper what happened at one of our facilities," Philbrook said.

It wasn't clear if the employee was carrying the gun, or if he retrieved it after the argument. "We don't know if the gun was in the car or if he went somewhere to get it," Henderson police Lt. David Piller said.

At least one other person was injured, police said. The wounded victim was taken to St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Ind., spokeswoman Cheryl Dauble said. That person was undergoing treatment, she said, but declined to release further information.

The names of the shooter and the victims were not released. However, Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer confirmed that the supervisor was among the dead. He said autopsies for all six were planned Wednesday.

"We're still in the process of contacting families and interviewing witnesses," Farmer said.

The Atlanta-based company has 1,300 employees worldwide, and about 150 in Henderson, where workers make parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes.

Henderson County Judge-Executive Sandy Watkins said the tragedy has shaken the entire town, partly because so many residents are either related to or know someone working at the plastics plant.

"Our whole community is in shock," Watkins said.

Hours after the shooting, police had set up a roadblock on the street leading to the plant, which is in an industrial area on the southern side of Henderson.

Other employees at the plant were sent home. About 34 were inside at the time of the shooting, Philbrook said.

In a news release on the company's Web site, Atlantis Plastics said it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of three kinds of products: polyethylene stretch films for wrapping pallets of materials, custom films for industrial and packaging uses, and molded plastic pieces used in products such as appliances and recreational vehicles.

The company has annual sales of $110 million, according to business directory Hoovers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080625/...MXmIqr6dKs0NUE

suprtruckr · 06-25-2008, 02:46 PM

so sad

when i first saw the headline i thought wheres cpbaby

dv8grl · 06-25-2008, 10:05 PM

Ky. gunman argued with boss over phone, goggles
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080626/...MLNh9U3jis0NUE

HENDERSON, Ky. - A 25-year-old press operator shot and killed five co-workers and himself at a plastics plant in rural western Kentucky just hours after arguing with his supervisor about not wearing safety goggles and using his cell phone while on the assembly line, police said Wednesday.

Authorities said Wesley N. Higdon of Henderson was so riled by the argument with his supervisor that he called his girlfriend and told her that he wanted to kill his boss. The girlfriend didn't warn anyone, police said, and just two hours later he argued with another co-worker at a gas station near the plant, then returned and shot and killed his supervisor as they walked outside. He went back inside and shot at co-workers in a break room and on the plant floor.

A man who called 911 frantically described the violent scene early Wednesday to a dispatcher, tallying up the number of dead around him.

"There's more than two people dead. There's like one, two, three, four, five people dead," the man said. "The supervisor is dead, too."

Authorities said Higdon was known to keep a .45-caliber pistol in his car, which is not illegal in Kentucky.

The first shooting took place as the supervisor was escorting him from the building. Other co-workers were shot in the break room and on the plant floor. One worker was injured and was being treated in the critical care unit at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Ind.

"He just walked in, looked like he meant business and started shooting at everybody," Henderson Police Sgt. John Nevels said at a news conference.

The killings stunned the Ohio River town of about 28,000 people, where a local leader said many residents know or are related to a worker at the plant. The plant, operated by Atlanta-based Atlantis plastics, employs about 160 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes.

Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer identified the supervisor as Kevin G. Taylor, 30, of Dixon. The slain co-workers were Trisha Mirelez, 25, Rachael Vasquez, 26, and Joshua Hinojosa, 28, all of Sebree; and Israel Monroy, 29, of Henderson. The hospitalized survivor was identified as Monroy's sister, Noelia Monroy.

"Our whole community is in shock," Henderson County Judge-Executive Sandy Watkins said.

The plant sent employees home Wednesday, but the company said that it hoped to resume limited operations at night. Atlantis Plastics CEO Bud Philbrook told The Associated Press that the company was reeling.

"It's just total shock. It's something you read about in the paper," Philbrook said.

Investigators were trying to piece together the timing of the shooting spree. Philbrook said that Higdon didn't appear to have any previous disciplinary problems at the plant.

Four of the victims were members of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sebree, Ky., said the Rev. Jason McClure, who had spent much of the morning with the victims' families.

"They are very upset and hurting deeply and just trying to figure out what to do next," McClure said.

A prayer vigil was held for the victims Wednesday night at the Henderson County Courthouse.

Atlantis Plastics said on its Web site that it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of three kinds of products: polyethylene stretch films for wrapping pallets of materials, custom films for industrial and packaging uses and molded plastic pieces used in products such as appliances and recreational vehicles.

The company has annual sales of $110 million, according to business directory Hoovers.

"This is a devastating loss to this community which we have been a part of for more than 40 years," Philbrook said in a statement late Wednesday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and we will work with them to provide our help and support."

Pepsi4me · 06-25-2008, 10:20 PM

I saw this on the news. Very sad.

dv8grl · 07-16-2008, 05:48 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080716/...kabg.YrH9vzwcF
Videos provide glimpse of Ky. plant shooting

HENDERSON, Ky. - Newly released surveillance videos provide a glimpse of a shooting at a western Kentucky plastics plant that left five people and the gunman dead last month.

Police in Henderson released the videos to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Wesley N. Higdon, 25, shot and killed five workers and himself June 25 after arguing with his supervisor about not wearing safety goggles and using his cell phone on the assembly line, police said. A sixth shooting victim survived.

One video shows several minutes of workers walking back and forth on the factory floor. Suddenly, the gunman runs up behind a worker in blue jeans, who crumples to the ground, apparently hit. The gunman runs out of view.

Several other workers walk around their fallen colleague's body, one with his hands on his head.

Surveillance video taken in the factory lunchroom a few seconds later shows several people sitting at tables when the gunman, dressed in shorts and a black T-shirt, walks in and aims at one of them.

The gunman then aims at a back corner before returning to the first victim, who falls from his chair before someone appears to pull a table over him. The gunman then aims under the table. After he leaves, several people try to help a woman who had crawled out from under the same table.

Police said Higdon shot his supervisor, Kevin G. Taylor, 30, outside the plant, then went inside and shot and killed four others before turning the gun on himself. A sixth shooting victim survived.

The shooting occurred hours after an argument with his supervisor so riled Higdon that he called his girlfriend and told her that he wanted to kill his boss. She didn't warn anyone.

The other slain co-workers were Trisha Mirelez, 25, Rachael Vasquez, 26, Joshua Hinojosa, 28, and Israel Monroy, 29. The survivor was Monroy's sister, Noelia Monroy.

The killings stunned the Ohio River town of about 28,000 people, where many residents know or are related to a worker at the plant. The plant, operated by Atlanta-based Atlantis Plastics, employs about 160 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes.

06-25-2008, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jolie Rouge C & P Queen Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Missin' Mesue ... Posts: 33,944 iTrader: (2) Thanks: 732 Thanked 1,398 Times in 759 Posts	6 dead in Henderson, Ky., plastics plant shooting 6 dead in Henderson, Ky., plastics plant shooting By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 39 minutes ago HENDERSON, Ky. - An employee shot and killed a supervisor and four others after an argument at a western Kentucky plastics plant in a rampage that ended in the gunman's suicide, police and a company official said Wednesday. The shooting happened around midnight at Atlantis Plastics in this Ohio River town of about 28,000 people. The employee, a press operator, began arguing with a supervisor and was escorted from the building, company CEO Bud Philbrook told The Associated Press. As the employee was leaving, he took out a gun, shot the supervisor, then charged back into a break room and shot several employees. Then he returned to the floor and shot another employee before killing himself, Philbrook said. "It's just total shock. It's something you read about in the paper what happened at one of our facilities," Philbrook said. It wasn't clear if the employee was carrying the gun, or if he retrieved it after the argument. "We don't know if the gun was in the car or if he went somewhere to get it," Henderson police Lt. David Piller said. At least one other person was injured, police said. The wounded victim was taken to St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Ind., spokeswoman Cheryl Dauble said. That person was undergoing treatment, she said, but declined to release further information. The names of the shooter and the victims were not released. However, Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer confirmed that the supervisor was among the dead. He said autopsies for all six were planned Wednesday. "We're still in the process of contacting families and interviewing witnesses," Farmer said. The Atlanta-based company has 1,300 employees worldwide, and about 150 in Henderson, where workers make parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes. Henderson County Judge-Executive Sandy Watkins said the tragedy has shaken the entire town, partly because so many residents are either related to or know someone working at the plastics plant. "Our whole community is in shock," Watkins said. Hours after the shooting, police had set up a roadblock on the street leading to the plant, which is in an industrial area on the southern side of Henderson. Other employees at the plant were sent home. About 34 were inside at the time of the shooting, Philbrook said. In a news release on the company's Web site, Atlantis Plastics said it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of three kinds of products: polyethylene stretch films for wrapping pallets of materials, custom films for industrial and packaging uses, and molded plastic pieces used in products such as appliances and recreational vehicles. The company has annual sales of $110 million, according to business directory Hoovers. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080625/...MXmIqr6dKs0NUE __________________ Laissez les bon temps rouler! Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT!** Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?

06-25-2008, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
suprtruckr braindead Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In Limbo Posts: 2,969 iTrader: (0) Thanks: 44 Thanked 242 Times in 114 Posts	so sad when i first saw the headline i thought wheres cpbaby __________________ CONFUSED AS A BABY IN A TOPLESS BAR

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-25-2008, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
dv8grl Navy Veteran Against War! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 5,789 iTrader: (46) Thanks: 985 Thanked 566 Times in 316 Posts	Ky. gunman argued with boss over phone, goggles http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080626/...MLNh9U3jis0NUE HENDERSON, Ky. - A 25-year-old press operator shot and killed five co-workers and himself at a plastics plant in rural western Kentucky just hours after arguing with his supervisor about not wearing safety goggles and using his cell phone while on the assembly line, police said Wednesday. Authorities said Wesley N. Higdon of Henderson was so riled by the argument with his supervisor that he called his girlfriend and told her that he wanted to kill his boss. The girlfriend didn't warn anyone, police said, and just two hours later he argued with another co-worker at a gas station near the plant, then returned and shot and killed his supervisor as they walked outside. He went back inside and shot at co-workers in a break room and on the plant floor. A man who called 911 frantically described the violent scene early Wednesday to a dispatcher, tallying up the number of dead around him. "There's more than two people dead. There's like one, two, three, four, five people dead," the man said. "The supervisor is dead, too." Authorities said Higdon was known to keep a .45-caliber pistol in his car, which is not illegal in Kentucky. The first shooting took place as the supervisor was escorting him from the building. Other co-workers were shot in the break room and on the plant floor. One worker was injured and was being treated in the critical care unit at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Ind. "He just walked in, looked like he meant business and started shooting at everybody," Henderson Police Sgt. John Nevels said at a news conference. The killings stunned the Ohio River town of about 28,000 people, where a local leader said many residents know or are related to a worker at the plant. The plant, operated by Atlanta-based Atlantis plastics, employs about 160 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes. Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer identified the supervisor as Kevin G. Taylor, 30, of Dixon. The slain co-workers were Trisha Mirelez, 25, Rachael Vasquez, 26, and Joshua Hinojosa, 28, all of Sebree; and Israel Monroy, 29, of Henderson. The hospitalized survivor was identified as Monroy's sister, Noelia Monroy. "Our whole community is in shock," Henderson County Judge-Executive Sandy Watkins said. The plant sent employees home Wednesday, but the company said that it hoped to resume limited operations at night. Atlantis Plastics CEO Bud Philbrook told The Associated Press that the company was reeling. "It's just total shock. It's something you read about in the paper," Philbrook said. Investigators were trying to piece together the timing of the shooting spree. Philbrook said that Higdon didn't appear to have any previous disciplinary problems at the plant. Four of the victims were members of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sebree, Ky., said the Rev. Jason McClure, who had spent much of the morning with the victims' families. "They are very upset and hurting deeply and just trying to figure out what to do next," McClure said. A prayer vigil was held for the victims Wednesday night at the Henderson County Courthouse. Atlantis Plastics said on its Web site that it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of three kinds of products: polyethylene stretch films for wrapping pallets of materials, custom films for industrial and packaging uses and molded plastic pieces used in products such as appliances and recreational vehicles. The company has annual sales of $110 million, according to business directory Hoovers. "This is a devastating loss to this community which we have been a part of for more than 40 years," Philbrook said in a statement late Wednesday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and we will work with them to provide our help and support."

06-25-2008, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pepsi4me Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: There's enough crap in real life so I dont need the crap from here. Posts: 4,938 iTrader: (3) Thanks: 325 Thanked 446 Times in 280 Posts	I saw this on the news. Very sad.

07-16-2008, 05:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
dv8grl Navy Veteran Against War! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 5,789 iTrader: (46) Thanks: 985 Thanked 566 Times in 316 Posts	http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080716/...kabg.YrH9vzwcF Videos provide glimpse of Ky. plant shooting HENDERSON, Ky. - Newly released surveillance videos provide a glimpse of a shooting at a western Kentucky plastics plant that left five people and the gunman dead last month. Police in Henderson released the videos to The Associated Press on Tuesday. Wesley N. Higdon, 25, shot and killed five workers and himself June 25 after arguing with his supervisor about not wearing safety goggles and using his cell phone on the assembly line, police said. A sixth shooting victim survived. One video shows several minutes of workers walking back and forth on the factory floor. Suddenly, the gunman runs up behind a worker in blue jeans, who crumples to the ground, apparently hit. The gunman runs out of view. Several other workers walk around their fallen colleague's body, one with his hands on his head. Surveillance video taken in the factory lunchroom a few seconds later shows several people sitting at tables when the gunman, dressed in shorts and a black T-shirt, walks in and aims at one of them. The gunman then aims at a back corner before returning to the first victim, who falls from his chair before someone appears to pull a table over him. The gunman then aims under the table. After he leaves, several people try to help a woman who had crawled out from under the same table. Police said Higdon shot his supervisor, Kevin G. Taylor, 30, outside the plant, then went inside and shot and killed four others before turning the gun on himself. A sixth shooting victim survived. The shooting occurred hours after an argument with his supervisor so riled Higdon that he called his girlfriend and told her that he wanted to kill his boss. She didn't warn anyone. The other slain co-workers were Trisha Mirelez, 25, Rachael Vasquez, 26, Joshua Hinojosa, 28, and Israel Monroy, 29. The survivor was Monroy's sister, Noelia Monroy. The killings stunned the Ohio River town of about 28,000 people, where many residents know or are related to a worker at the plant. The plant, operated by Atlanta-based Atlantis Plastics, employs about 160 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes.